When the cows finally come home: Bavarian Cattle Drive

An alpine cattle herder escort cows on their descent into a valley on Sept. 11 during the annual Viehscheid cattle drive near Bad Hindelang, Germany.

The herders lead the cattle up into the Bavarian Alps in May or June to spend the summer grazing on alpine meadows. The cattle are then herded back down to the farms in the valley in September. If all the animals survive the summer, the herders place a flower wreath around the lead cow for the descent.